Chris Sanders biography

A native of Colorado, Sanders developed an interest in drawing after
watching the Disney animated film The Three Caballeros, when he was
10-years-old. "It is still the most unfettered, worrisome-free, joyous
piece of animation that's ever been done." Years later, his grandmother
recommend he attend CalArts to further his interest in animation.

He
agreed, and after graduation, he worked for Marvel Productions for four
years designing characters for the popular television series, Muppet
Babies.

In 1987, he was hired by Walt Disney Feature Animation studio where he
worked on a number of projects, including The Rescuers Down Under (1990),
Beauty and the Beast (1991), Fantasia 2000 (1999). He also worked as a
production designer on The Lion King (1994). Ten years after starting at
Disney, he made a shift in his career and co-wrote the film Mulan (1998).
His work on the film earned him two Annie Awards in the storyboarding and
screenwriting categories.

Following Mulan's success, he came up with the original idea for the
feature, Lilo & Stitch (2002). Expanding his talents yet again, he not only
wrote, but co-directed and voiced the character of Stitch - both firsts for
Sanders.